The "official" bore of 0.468" (#2) is measured at the 2nd valve. It is my understanding that the bore going in to the main tuning slide is 0.459" (#1½), and 0.466" (just shy of a #2) coming out of the main tuning slide. The overall length of the 40B is also more than the 40A, but this might be a bit hard to see without comparing the two side by side. The mouthpiece receiver on the 40B comes out about an inch beyond the bell curve. Also, the mouthpiece receiver of the 40A comes out to the bell curve. The 40A doesn't have a fingerring at all on the third slide. The 40B trumpet has a third slide finger ring, below the third slide. There are a few ways to tell a 40A from a 40B without inserting a mouthpiece to see if it fits. It also means that the internal bore is different, more conical. The 40A is, of course, a cornet and as such it takes a cornet mouthpiece. There are several differences between the 40A and 40B. This is the cornet version of the 40B Connqueror Vocabell trumpet. Here's a video of another 40A from around the same manufacturing date: The valves are bottom spring style valves. There is some lacquer wear throughout the instrument, with more at the contact points.Īll slides and valves move freely. The rim of the bell has some bending, and the throat is slightly compressed. There are some dents and dings around the instrument, with a couple on the inner bend of the tuning slide, the knuckles where the third valve slide joins the valve block, the second valve slide crook, the third valve slide crook, and several along the length of the bell. This cornet was made in 1935 and has a few signs of use. But ultimately, it's the rimless edge that steals the show! The design concept continues through the recessed water keys, faceted valve casings, bracing, and valves caps. One key difference between the 40A and most modern instruments is the tubing wrap the third valve slide is on the right of the tuning slide rather than on the left.
Every part of the horn incorporates Art Deco details, from the mouthpiece receiver to the rimless bell. The Conn 40A long model cornet has an artistic, Art Deco design concept.